Earlier today, reports out of Germany suggested that Liverpool had agreed to personal terms with Turkish-German midfielder Emre Can and were preparing to trigger his €12M release clause. Now, Bayer Leverkusen chief executive Michael Schade has confirmed that Liverpool have done exactly that, all but sealing the club's second signing of the summer.
"Up until yesterday I would have said they were just rumours," said Schade. "Now I can confirm that an official offer has been received from Liverpool, and we expect a very quick conclusion to negotiations."
The 20-year-old Can is one of the brightest midfield prospects in Germany, having represented them at every youth level as he worked his way up through Bayern Munich's academy. Last summer, in the hopes of finding him consistent playing time, Bayern sold him to Leverkusen for €4.5M while including a buy-back clause in his contract.
However, that clause could not be triggered until next summer, leaving Liverpool one summer to pounce on a release clause Bayern believe should not have been allowed in his contract when he signed with Leverkusen but which they appear unable or unwilling to legally challenge.
With his release now triggered and Liverpool believed to have agreed to personal terms, Can's signing is likely to become official within a mater of days.